My hope for the middleweight division

The current state of the middleweight division is absolutely terrible. Besides one very good fighter in Janibek Alimkhanuly, the rest of the competition at the top is lacking. Even the biggest fight this year was Eubank vs Benn, which is a clear indicator of how putrid things are. However after today's fight between Eumir Marcial and Eddy Colmenares, which was an amazing fight. All of guys should check it out, it was a slugfest from beginning to end. For me, there is hope that this troubled period will end and we will enter a new, exciting phase for 160.

There is a lot of undefeated prospects, which are coming up. There are: Yoenli Hernandez, Aaron McKenna, Etinosa Oliha, Vadim Tukov, Troy Isley, Eumir Marcial, Eric Priest, George Liddard and others. Like Denzel Bentley, Elijah Garcia, Vito Mielnicki, Marquis Taylor, Patrice Volny, who have have losses, but are still in their primes and very much capable to improve. The talent is there, just needs more push from promters and networks.

The catalyst for how the division will improve, boils down to two things: PBC to lose it's belt holders and for a major fight to occur. Both will require one man for the job, and that is Janibek. If you guys remember, featherweight used to have the same problem when Gary Russell and Leo Santa Cruz were champions. Once they left, the division became great again. PBC doesn't have the desire to make their guys unify, except at welterweight. Once Janibek gets rid of Lara, it will be one down. Now will Adames fight him? Who knows, apparently he will vacate the title, which will leave the winner of Ramos-Mosley as the full titlist. As for what major fight could happen. My hope is for Crawford to move down (there are rumors) and challenge Alimkhanuly. Regardless of the result, this would be a huge event and would bring attention back to the division.

Based on what I wrote. I do hope things get better. The 160 pounds deserves it. It is one of the glamour divisions. Original eight. It could produce big fights and great fighters. Certainly better than the likes of English Jr., and Conor Henn.

 

Well this thread aged like milk. And not even two ****ing months have passed.

Crawford retired, Janibek is out of comission. The only hope for the division is for PBC's champions to lose their belts. Adames will fight Austin Williams next, apparently Lara will fight Tszyu in Australia.

In case Janibek gets stripped. Denzel Bentley will fight Endry Saavedra for the WBO belt (Frank Warren fights for the WBO, what a surprise). Whereas Etinosa Oliha will fight Vincenzo Gualtieri for the IBF belt.

If the champions are in the following order by next year (hypothetically, should these fights happen and they win):

WBA - Tszyu. PBC affiliated, but he has more leverage and could fight outside Haymon's stable.
WBC - Williams. Hearn fighter. Probably has the most options from the rest.
WBO - Bentley. Warren fighter. He will probably face Top Rank fighters if he becomes champion.
IBF - Oliha. Signed with AGON - German promotion company. His options are more out there.

In any case. The proliferation of champions could be a good thing for the division.

 

This too shall pass.